Top signs the World Cup is almost here...(good and bad)...Jim's deals of the day

Adrian Brijbassi of the Star's Travel department is wrapping up a visit to South Africa to check on preparations for the World Cup, which starts in just over a month. Here's his latest report:

CAPE TOWN - Six weeks to go to the World Cup and South Africa is gearing up to welcome the globe. More than 40,000 police officers will be deployed during the 64-game tournament that runs June 11 to July 11 with games in nine cities. Much work remains; however, South Africa is well along in some areas. Here’s a look at what it’s doing right.

Mandela’s “Cup:” Nelson Mandela once said, “Sport has the power to change the world.” South Africans are hoping the presence of the world’s game in their country will be enough to bring their national icon back into the spotlight. But Mandela is 91 and health issues could keep him from opening the tournament. Nevertheless, FIFA president Sepp Blatter recently confirmed, “It will be his World Cup.” That means FIFA, international soccer’s governing organization, intends to repeatedly recognize Mandela’s struggles and triumphs to lift the country out of apartheid following his release from prison in 1990.

“Little England:” Astute planners equipped Cape Town Stadium with three jail cells and dubbed the lock-up zone “Little England.” Fans whose rowdiness goes too far will be taken from their seats and put in the cells that are beneath the spectacular $610-million stadium, which sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain. A court will be set up outside to process any cases. Cape Town hosts eight games, including the England-Algeria match on June 18.

The Diski: The dance combines moves from the night club and the soccer field. Scores of people show off their Diski steps each “Football Friday” in public squares. “Diski” is the name used for “soccer” in many of the black townships.

Bafana Republic: Despite a shameful 0-0 tie last week against North Korea, optimism remains high for Bafana — this being the nickname of South Africa’s team. Their three games were the first to sell out. “Bafana” means “boys” in Nguni.

Airports: More than $2 billion has been spent on airport construction in preparation for the World Cup. O.R. Tambo International in Johannesburg and Cape Town International spent about $400 million each on renovations. In Durban, the $950-million King Shaka International opens on May 1. Left out of the renovations for the big three airports were rental stations for luggage carts. They’re all lined up near the baggage carousel. Just grab one and go. No nickel, no dime.

On the other hand, there are a number of illustrations of why they're not ready just yet. Here are five areas that need improvement prior to June 11:

Public transportation: Johannesburg’s train and bus stations are far from complete, and the city is counting on them to get people to Soccer City Stadium and Coca Cola Park, the venues that will host World Cup games in South Africa’s largest city.

Prince of petulance: You can’t go anywhere in this country without hearing the name Julius Malema. The abrasive leader of the African National Congress Youth League has made headlines in the past week for shouting down a British journalist. The BBC reporter had suggested Malema was being hypocritical for flaunting a lavish lifestyle while promoting the nationalism of key industries.

Racial tensions rising: The murder of white supremacist Eugene Terre’Blanche on April 3 followed Malema’s endorsement of a song whose lyrics include “kill the boer”. That situation has caused an escalation in provocative language and fears of retribution from supporters of Terre’Blanche.

Unsold tickets: Danny Jordaan, head of the World Cup’s organizing committee, said this week that about 120,000 tickets remain unsold. Several of the tournament’s 64 matches have seats available.

Porter scamming: North Americans and Europeans are not going to be impressed when they get out of a cab at an airport and have their bags seized by opportunists who wear “porter” uniforms and promise to get you to the front of the line. They may drop your bags on a luggage cart and wheel it for you to a self-serve check-in counter that doesn’t recognize your e-ticket code issued from out of the country. By that point, you should decide to hand over a few dollars (50 rand, or $7, in my case) and move on alone through the regular queue.

And now, back to Jim Byers daily travel blog

 

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HAWAII NO KA OI

Sorry, that means Hawaii is the best. Well, it's my favourite spot on earth, anyway. And it seems things are picking up on the tourism front.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority this week said visitor arrivals in March were 9.3 per cent higher than the same month last year, with nearly 608,000 visitors. Total spending was up 12.7 per cent.

Maui, again my personal favourite but they're all great, saw the biggest growth, with visitor spending up a very solid 25 per cent.

There have been some great deals for Hawaii. It might be a good time to book, especially with Ontario's new HST about to slap more taxes on our airline bookings.

 

STARWOOD HOTELS PROMOTION

USA Today reports Starwood on Thursday will announce a new promotion where in members of their loyalty/points program can make three stays at Starwood properties and get a weekend night free. Sounds like a pretty good deal.

Starwood includes Sheraton, W hotels, Westin, Aloft hotels and more.

Visiting Robben Island S. Africa for Freedom Day, Hugh Hefner saves Hollywood

Star Travel writer Adrian Brijbassi continues his visit to the home of the World Cup 2010. Here's his latest report. Stay tuned for more, and be sure to check coming issues of Star Travel for more on how things are shaping up for the big event, which starts in June.

Adrian Brijbassi
Toronto Star

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – South Africa is a nation of easy smiles. Perhaps that’s because the icon of their country can’t cry.

One of the fascinating things you will learn on Robben Island is Nelson Mandela’s tear ducts were so damaged from dust while he broke rocks on a limestone quarry that he can no longer shed tears. Others will do it for him today, the 16th anniversary of the culmination of the first democratic elections in South Africa.

More than 20 million people went to the polls over a two-day period in 1994 and Mandela’s ANC party won 62 per cent of the votes. He was 75 when he was elected president four years after being released from prison.

The first 18 years of his 27-year incarceration were served on Robben Island, the 574-hectare speck of land where the totality of apartheid will water your eyes when you hear the grim facts. Mandela’s oppressors covered every detail in their attempt to degrade the prisoners on the island that’s three kilometres from Cape Town and for many years was miles from humanity.

“The history here just hits you in the gut,” says Ntombomzi Mlonyeni, a young woman who conducts bus tours of Robben Island. Hundreds come each day and tickets, which cost 400 rand (about $54), sell out fast for the 15-minute ferry sailings that depart from Cape Town’s waterfront.

Former prisoners talk about their experiences in riveting detail. Michael Ntando was imprisoned on Robben Island from 1984-91 on terrorism-related charges. Remarkably, he is one of the 200 residents who now live on the island, along with a few hundred penguins. Ntando and other former prisoners reside alongside men who used to be their wardens. Together, they keep alive the deplorable history that is important for many reasons, not the least of which is Mandela.

When a tour group approaches his prison cell, the crowd clamours to get a peek. In no other jail cell in the world would you see people eager to go in. Mandela’s cell is locked, but there is one in the prison where people can enter.

As you might expect, Mandela is so revered here some consider him to be divine.

“It was a gift from God,” Gloria Pikitsha, a former Soweto resident, says of Mandela’s struggles and triumphs. “He was blessed with a great mind, wisdom and humility. He was meant to lead South Africa to freedom.”

Pikitsha was 16 when the Soweto uprising of 1976 took place. She was a student at Orlando West High School, the starting point of the black school children’s protest march. Security forces opened fire on the children, killing more than 600 on June 16-17. Pikitsha’s neighbour at the time, an 18-year-old named Mbuyisa Makhuba, was photographed carrying 12-year-old Hector Pieterson, the youngest victim of the violence. The boy died at a clinic and Pikitsha says she never saw Makhuba again. Like many who took part in the uprising, he disappeared. The photograph has become a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and a large print of it is outside of the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto.

“We recall we didn’t get this easily,” Pikitsha said over the weekend in Soweto when asked about her feelings on Freedom Day. “We didn’t get it for free. We paid a price for it, and that price was paid by kids.”

And now for something completely different...Jim Byers' regular travel blog

THANKS, HEF

Word out of L.A. is that Playboy magazine Hugh Hefner donated $900,000 to help the Hollywood Sign Trust people buy enough land around the iconic "Hollywood" sign in the hills above Los Angeles and save the sign from a redevelopment scheme.

The fund is now said to have $12.5 million U.S. for the sign saving effort. The 138 acres of land around the sign will now become part of Griffith Park.

You probably already knew this, but the sign originally was to advertise a housing development and it used to say "Hollywoodland."

Anyway, it's nice of Hef to get out of his pajamas long enough to sign a few cheques. Guess all those magazines I bought as a kid had a good influence on tourism, if nothing else. (Just kidding, honey).

ARIZONA DINNER

Thanks to the folks at the Arizona Office of Tourism for a fine meal at Buca on King St. W. on Monday night. They took a half dozen or so media types out to chat a bit about what's happening in their state.

There were some 514,000 Canadians who visited the state last year, and they're hoping/expecting that will increase to something like 530,000 or 540,000 this year. The strength of the Canadian dollar against the American greenback no doubt helps a lot, as does the continuous additions of new hotels, golf courses and spas in Arizona.

Ontario used to be the biggest contributor to Canadian tourism in Arizona, but officials say that's slipped a bit. Not because Ontario folks have lost interest, but because Alberta has grown so much.

It's certainly a lovely state, with lots of sunshine and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy.

The meal at Buca was delicious, too. I had a nice pasta with testa (like a salami) and wild ramps (spicy leeks) and chili and garlic, but the pizza I sampled was divine; a great crust topped with homemade prosciutto. They make their own salami's on site and there's also a terrific wine list and wonderful cheeses.

Also thanks to Vincor for some fun wine-tasting at Origin: Hardy's, Kim Crawford, Mondavi and Ravenswood. Nice way to spend a Monday evening!

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Canadian company grabs World Cup business/headlines - Adrian Brijbassi in SA

With this report, Star Travel writer Adrian Brijbassi continues his look at what's happening in South Africa as they prepare for the coming World Cup.

By Adrian Brijbassi

Toronto Star

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Canadians are making news in the South African newspapers. Sunday’s edition of the Cape Times included a story about the Toronto-based travel website iStopOver.com, which has succeeded where many South African agents have failed. Run by Mark Skapinker, iStopOver.com has matched World Cup ticketholders from across the globe with homeowners in South Africa who are offering low-priced alternatives to hotels and resorts for the June 11-July 11 tournament.

Skapinker’s company is keen on the term “hometel” to describe the accommodations listed on its website. A room rate in most of those homes runs about 500-700 rand ($67-$94 Canadian) and iStopOver.com has matched 1,500 of its 3,000 clients with South African homeowners, the Times reports. The ticketholders are from South America, Mexico and the Far East, and Skapinker cited the company’s Facebook site as one reason for its success. 

“Our soccer visitors are telling us that hotels still have space, but it’s expensive space – so well-priced accommodation is the key,” he said.

Meanwhile, two days in Johannesburg and I’ve met a range of people who live here. Several of them are now friends. Johannesburg (or Joburg for short) is full of gracious, hospitable people who are unabashedly proud of where they live. They want to change the perception that South Africa and its largest city are lawless and frightening. The South Africans I met do so by telling their stories.

You’ll read about them more in the next month or so as Star Travel previews the 2010 World Cup. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of these kind people.

Brian Green and Carla Pienaar – Brian is from New Brunswick and works for McCain Foods here. Carla is his girlfriend from South Africa and a former restaurant owner. They toured me around the city and to the fascinating Cradle of Humankind, located in the historic Sterkfontein Caves about an hour outside of town. The museum announced another monumental archeological find earlier this year and will be a major attraction for tourists, regardless of the World Cup.

Maria Sekwane and Gloria Pikitsha – Both are women who grew up in the black townships and they give tours of Soweto. The most famous of South Africa’s townships, Soweto was central to the anti-apartheid movement. Maria and Gloria showed me several important buildings and places where history was made, and where the world was changed. Nelson Mandela’s footprints are all over Soweto, including the house he lived in prior to his arrest more than 50 years ago. Visiting Soweto for three hours will impact my life forever.

Wayne Cutting and Eugene Williams – I relied on Wayne and Eugene to show me Johannesburg’s hot spots for nightlife and bars. They did their job very well. Wayne, a former police officer, works for ABSA bank and investigates financial crimes while Eugene is a businessman.

Chris and Jane van Melle Kamp – Chris is a former diplomat who worked under Nelson Mandela while stationed in Paris and elsewhere. Jane, his wife, is a former television producer. They provided marvelous insight into what the World Cup will mean for the country.

More about them and others soon.

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South Africa dances to the World Cup - Star Travel writer Adrian Brijbassi

 

Adrian Brijbassi
Toronto Star

 

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Brian Green greets me at Nelson Mandela’s foot wearing a bright yellow football jersey and the cheerful admission that he looks like a giant bumblebee. We’re standing beneath the six-metre bronze statue of Mandela that presides over the square that bears his name.

 

Brian is from Florenceville, New Brunswick, the headquarters of McCain Foods. He’s graciously agreed to show me around Johannesburg because “I love introducing Canadians to South Africa.” And for no other reason. Talk about class.

 

We meet on Football Friday at the square, where three women are working the Diski. They dance on stage, teaching the moves to a chorus line of three dozen enthusiastic participants eager to learn. We call the game soccer, South Africans from Johannesburg’s townships know it as “diski”, thus the name for this dance that incorporates moves you’d expect from the Brazilian national team.

 

It ends with a Rockettes-style kick and a wide grin that’s clearly meant to signal “goal”.

 

The Diski is the “official dance” of the 2010 World Cup and everyone in the country is encouraged to learn it in time for the tournament’s kickoff on June 11. No one seems shy about giving it a try – except for the two Canadians in the group.

 

Maybe if our country had a team in the tournament…

 

Instead, Brian and I take a seat and order baby kingklip, a long whitefish shaped like an eel. Served grilled, its tasty, silky flesh falls off the bone. It costs 120 rand, about $16, at Montego Bay, one of many cafes and restaurants that bracket the stage where the Diski dancers bounce.

 

Nelson Mandela Square is in Sandton City, the fast-developing area in north of Johannesburg’s central district. Many of the city’s main banks and retailers are beating it out of a beat-up downtown, relocating to this spot that’s called “the Beverly Hills of South Africa,” Brian says.

 

He works for McCain Foods as an IT manager and has been living in South Africa since 2006. Like many others in Johannesburg, he wears a soccer shirt with his company’s logo on Football Fridays (and has kindly given one to me).

 

How does he find living here?

 

“I have a hard time seeing myself going back to Canada.”

 

He basks about the weather, even as a storm cloud creeps over our heads, and says fears about the crime rate are exaggerated. “You have to be careful and there are places where you don’t go out at night, but it’s not at all like what people outside the country might think.”

 

On Saturday, Brian will arrange for us to visit Soweto and the Cradle of Humankind, as well as some places where Canadians will feel at home when they visit.

 

That’s a day away. In the meantime, it’s Football Friday and there’s more of the soccer frenzy to take in before the heavy rain falls.

 

Star Travel writer Adrian Brijbassi heads to South Africa...Win a Chicago trip!

Toronto Star Travel writer Adrian Brijbassi is on his way to South Africa to check out preparations for the World Cup, which stars in June. He'll be blogging regularly during his trip, so look for his postings here. Also, check out Star Travel both in print and on-line as folks all over the globe get ready for the World Cup.

By Adrian Brijbassi

Toronto Star

NEW YORK – Leon Raubenheimer beams and says, “You’ll love South Africa. Everyone who goes comes back and tells me it’s the best time of their life.” He waves a finger and adds, “Just watch your back.”

It’s a caveat anyone familiar with the country throws in. South Africa’s reputation for beauty is matched by the perception of its lawlessness. Its crime statistics – including 18,148 murders last year and about 250,000 assaults annually – are gory details.

That hasn’t deterred FIFA from putting the 2010 World Cup there, or Torontonians familiar with the country from feeling affection for it.

Leon, the CEO of Zed Financial on Bay Street, was born in South Africa and moved to Canada in 1995. He and his business partner, Barry O’Neill, a Canadian who lived in Johannesburg in the 1990s, filled me in on local gems to see during my trip and connected me with several people who they promise will provide excellent insight into the nation’s character and spirit once I’m on the ground.

“They’ll show you a good time too,” Leon said, still smiling.

Turns out South Africa has another reputation: one for being wickedly fun.

“There’s so much tension in the country, people are just happy to let loose and they know how to do it,” Barry says.

Letting loose and partying will be daily business in the coming months. Nine cities will host World Cup games starting June 11 and no volcanic ash or any other obstacle would faze Europe’s soccer crazies from attending. Plenty of North Americans are coming too. Prior to the release of an additional 500,000 tickets last week, Americans had purchased 118,945, the most of any nation. Meanwhile, Canadians had bought 16,001 tickets to soccer’s biggest showcase.

The story, though, is about those who are staying away. The expected number of visitors has dropped sharply since last year’s estimate of 450,000. Last month, the tournament’s organizers said it expected 350,000 tourists and that number was revised to “maybe 200,000” last week.

As such, tickets are still available for more than half the games. Good seats can still be had for the U.S. vs. Slovenia match in Johannesburg on Friday, June 18, and several tickets are available for all four games scheduled for Nelspruit, the closest city to famed Kruger Park.

Organizers blame the recession and the cost of flights for the low turnout from the not-so-serious fans. The media in Europe has blamed South Africa’s crime rate as the No. 1 reason why no one wants to go. Brit tabloids have even said people would be risking their lives if they attend the first World Cup held in Africa.

If that’s the case, I’ll find out soon enough.

In the next 11 days I will be writing from the three big cities: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. And keeping in mind what I’ve been told.

“You have to be careful and use street sense,” Leon warns again. “But as far as beauty, there’s nowhere like where you’re going.”

“South Africa will change how you look at life,” Barry says. “You can even eat zebra.”

Uhmmm ... we’ll see….

Now, back to Jim's blog and a look at various issues in the world of travel...

WONDERLIST OFFERS FREE TRIP TO CHICAGO

Wonderlist is giving away another trip; this time to the Windy City!  One winner will be sent to Chicago the weekend of May 7^th – May 9^th courtesy of Wonderlist (with Porter and the Hilton) with $500 and a night out!  For information, go to ww.wonderlist.ca.

If you've never been to Chicago, you're missing out. There's great food and music, wonderful architecture, terrific shopping and tons of sports, most notably at this time of year the Chicago Cubs at venerably Wrigley Field.

BAD NEWS IN BANGKOK

The street riots and deaths in Bangkok aren't helping tourism in Thailand, of course. Authorities blame terrorists for explosions that killed one person and injured 86, and that's not going to help make anyone feel better.

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs is warning Canadians to avoid "non-essential travel to central Bangkok's commercial business district" because of the ongoing protests and the "significant risk of violent clashes and further unrest" in the area.

SYDNEY RE-BRANDED

New South Wales has launched new tourism marketing campaigns for Sydney and Regional New South Wales.

The NSW Government is working with a range of well-known Sydneysiders and tourism industry partners to ramp up efforts to attract more international and domestic tourists to Sydney. Report say they want to get beyond the iconic stuff like the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

"We know that Sydney is seen around the world as Australia’s only global city, it’s up there with Paris, Rome, London and New York,” tourism minister Jodi McKay said.

 “We want to capture all the extraordinary aspects of Sydney – its ethnicity, diversity, audacity - under the Sydnicity banner, to describe the city’s unique energy and to build on visitors’ positive perceptions of Sydney, in Australia and around the world.

I loved it when I was there for the Olympics, WAY back in 2000. Hoping to make a return trip later this year and it'll be interesting to see what's changed in an even ten years. Oddly enough, one of the things I DIDN'T Do was the Harbour Bridge, which is on my list!

It's important for tourism folks to change things up now and then. But they should never lose sight of the basics. I was in London this week and had a couple hours before heading to Heathrow to do a news story. I didn't have time for a big, new cultural place so the British tourism folks set me up for a quick tour of the Tower of London, and I loved it. So keep that in mind...

Sunwing Vegas/Florida sale...Cougar Cruise!...Star Santa Fund..Jim's deals/day

You've probably read about the recession that's been battering, oh, most of the world for quite some time. And you've probably read about some great deals in Florida and in Vegas for hotels. I keep getting notices about rooms in Vegas going for $20 or $25 or high-end places offering DEEP discounts.

Now, Sunwing Vacations is offering a deal to get you there. If you buy one seat to Vegas or Florida (see photo) this winter you get the second seat at 50 per cent off. The sale is valid for bookings made between now and Dec. 14 and is applicable for flights from January 1 to March 31 of 2010. The offer covers flights from Toronto to Vegas (every Thursday and Sunday), to Orlando (daily except Tuesday and Wednesday), to St. Petersburg (Monday and Friday) and to Ft. Lauderdale (Sunday and Thursday).

Bookings must be made at www.sunwing.ca, and the sale is applicable only to round-trip fares, with a minimum of two passengers traveling together.

On a related note, the web site Open Jaw is reporting today that the Sunwing/Signature merger has cleared a regulatory hurdle in Ottawa. Details were sketchy, but the site had an item stating that Transport Canada had advised them that the miniser's office issued a letter telling the parties that "there are no public interest issues" at stake with the proposed transaction.

Further news, undoubtedly, isn't far behind.

CRUISE NEWS...AND COUGARS

Terry Dale of Cruise Lines International Association was in town this week and was telling me that 775,000 Canadians have gone on a cruise so far in 2009; up nine per cent from 2008. That's pretty remarkable given the economy.

"Canada is a huge market for us," Dale explained. "It's still something of an emerging market but there are indications Canadians are starting to get the cruise bug."

Yeah, I guess almost a million passengers would suggest that.

Dale says the cruise industry employs 16,000 Canadians and that the total economic impact of cruising for Canada is $2.3 billion, with $1 billion in direct spending. That's something worth considering for the folks in Ottawa, doncha think?

Dale says 15 new ships have been added by CLIA lines this year (including the massive Oasis of the Seas by Royal Caribbean) and 14 last year. Thirteen more are coming in 2010, so there's obviously growth.

CLIA has always held its annual meetings in Ft. Lauderdale, but next June 2-6 they'll convene in Vancouver, where a lot of Canada's cruise action takes place. Eastern Canada also plays a large role with Quebec and the St. Lawrence and the Maritimes, plus Newfoundland and Labrador (want to make a Newfoundlander mad, by the way? Tell them their province is part of the Maritimes.)

Anyway, cruising is big stuff in Canada. Big in San Diego earlier this month, too, where the first-known "Cougar Cruise" took place. Some 300 spaces were booked for "cougars" and "cubs" (I had no idea that was the name, geez) out of 2,000 or so spaces on the Carnival ship Elation, and no I'm not joking that's the name of the ship.

Anyway, there's certainly nothing wrong with consenting adults doing the horizontal bop at sea, and if younger guys like older women, more power to 'em.

I found it funny, though, to see a story and photo in the Mail online out of England showing a young hunk climbing out of a pool and two older women checking him out, or checking out his butt. I think of cougars as 40-50 years old, but this showed what looks like a granny checking out a guy of, oh, 25 or 30 years old.

My final cruise note, at least for today, concerns Azamara Cruises. I saw an item the other day where Azamara Club Cruises has been launched as a "destination-focused cruise line" with longer shore excursions and more overnight stays, as well as new tours. Sounds like a smart move to me.

NEW STAR ALLIANCE PARTNER

Good for news for Air Canada/Aeroplan members. Brussels Airlines has become the 26th member of Star Alliane. The network now covers a whopping 1,077 destinations in 175 countries including four new destinations in Africa: Bujumbura, Conakry, Kigali and Monrovia.

WEST JET TO COZUMEL

West Jet today launched new, seasonal non-stop flights from Toronto to Cozumel, Mexico. Flights depart twice weekly until April 29, 2010, leaving Toronto at 10 a.m. and arriving in Cozumel at 1:17, which leaves plenty of time to get into the water! Coming back, flights depart Cozumel at 2:15 and arrive at Pearson at 7:02 p.m. so you can still get your beauty sleep.

One-way fares are available from $149 plus taxes and fees. Call your travel agent, go to westjet.com or call 1-888-WESTJET.

SANTA CLAUS FUND

Just a reminder, folks, that the Star Santa Claus Fund will once again provide needy children with warm clothes and a toy at Christmas. I've been able to help out in delivering the gift boxes a couple times, and it's a real joy to see the delight on parents' and kids' faces when you drop something off at a home where they don't have a lot of the things that many of us take for granted. So please help with a donation; whatever you can. Thanks. Here's the link:

http://www.thestar.com/santaclausfund

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GOOD TORONTO REVIEW IN USA TODAY...HOT/SPICY FESTIVAL IN T.O.

Nice words from writer Laura Bly in USA Today's travel section today.

Early on her piece she referrred to the upcoming film festival and wrote that "one of North America's most cosmopolitan and (typically Canadian) understated destinations is camera-ready."

Bly went on to talk about how U.S. passport rules have hurt Toronto tourism and how "even the weather conspired against the city, as an unusually cool, rainy summer frustrated locals and visitors who gravitate to Toronto's sidewalk cafes and inviting (really?) Lake Ontario waterfront."

She also got in some good lines about Daniel Libeskind, saying that folks refer to his ROM extension as either a downed jet or a "geometric tumour."

I hadn't heard that one.

Bly talks about Queen West as a hipster haven and recommends the peameal bacon at St. Lawrence Market. But she also talks about kangaroo burgers at the market, and that's a new one on me. Gotta check it out tomorrow....

EMILY IN SOUTH AFRICA

The Star's Emily Mathieu won't get her final chance to drop into a cage and look for great white sharks until Saturday. But she's making the most of her opportunities by giving readers a lovely tour of Table Mountain in South Africa; one of those iconic places we all would get to visit in our lifetimes if there was any justice in the world.

Check her out at www.thestar.com/travel. She's doing a great job.

WHAT TO BUY A PRINCE?

Apparently it's something of a royal no-no to surprise Prince Philip with a present on his birthday. Freelancer Janie Robinson tells the tale in the Saturday Travel section. You can read it online now at www.thestar.com. You also can log on and read her accompanying story, as well as a piece on the ultra-chic Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh.

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Had a great meal Friday thanks to Louisiana tourism folks, so thanks for that. They'll be down at Harbourfront this weekend at the Hot + Spicy Food Festival, so check out the great gumbo and other treats.

There's also Louisiana/Cajun music, including a 9:30 p.m. Sunday show by Irma Thomas, "the soul queen of New Orleans." Thomas will give a talk at 6:30 p.m.

Also appearing is Terrance Simien for a little zydeco music. And there's a face-off between chefs from Mexico and Louisiana on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

For more information, go to www.harbourfrontcentre.com

WHAT, ALL THE HOTELS WERE FULL?

Got a note from the Kauai visitors' bureau to say that actress Mitzi Gaynor is making a trip to the Garden Isle, the most beautiful island in Hawaii. What I don't get is this is her first trip since she filmed South Pacific up around Lumahai Beach on the north shore.

To which I'm thinking, "Mitzi, my girl, WHAT ON EARTH TOOK YOU SO LONG?" You couldn't get an invitation? You had to cut the grass?

 

JIM'S DEAL OF THE DAY

A three night stay at The Rosseau, A JW Marriott Resort and Spa will get you a $150 resort credit valid towards everything from dining and drinks to spa treatments, golf and purchases at the property’s Country Market. The deal is available through the end of the year and requires a weekend stay including a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night. The Rosseau, overlooking Lake Rosseau in Muskoka, recently completed its last phase of development and now offers a new wing of rooms and suites near the shoreline. Visit www.jwrosseau.com or call 1-866-240-8605.

It's like having your own cottage. Minus the dock repairs.

Have a great Labour Day weekend and see ya Tuesday.

-

OVERRATED TRAVEL SPOTS, EMILY MATHIEU IN S. AFRICA, DEAL OF DAY

The Times of London online publication, www.timesonline.co.uk, has a story posted about the most over-rated travel spots around the world. They've been getting a fair bit of attention for it, too.

It apparently came about because of a new book called The Road Less Travelled, which has an intro by my favourite travel author, Bill Bryson. Before we get to some of the great comments Times readers have offered, here's a look at their list of five over-rated destinations and their suggested alternatives:

 

1. Stonehenge: "You can't touch it, you can't walk inside, you can't wander about its space and you have to pay an entrance fee to see it." Recommended alternative: Avebury, which the Times says is "larger and has a much more accessible stone circle."

 

2. Petra, Jordan: "The tourism village that has grown up around Petra now threatens to outsize the city itself." Recommended alternative: Lalibela in Ethiopia. "(They) challenge Jordan's Petra in number, artistic accomplishment and, above all, atmosphere."

 

3. The Colosseum: "The entire building is a traffic roundabout." Alternative: The Roman theatre in Pula, Croatia.

 

4. Machu Picchu: "You're well above 100 pounds (about $180 Cdn.) before you've even set foot in Machu Picchu...that is if you fall within the number of people allowed in daily." Alternative: Bolivia's Isla del Sol.

 

5. Angkor, Cambodia: "There's no escaping the crowds here." Alternative: "Equally spectacular but far less touristy Borobudur, Indonesia."

 

Interesting stuff. And some really interesting reaction from readers, too.

 

"I lived less than 10 miles from Avebury for most of my life," wrote Drew Whitehead. "I'd say the experience is 10 times better and more intimate than Stonehenge."

 

Robin from Loxley wrote: "Lol - 'want pretentious stories to tell people about your travels when at dinner parties - pick THESE destinations!' (we presume he means the alternatives). Seriously, I've been to 4/5 of these places and they ARE worth going to. We live in a crowded world, get over it!

 

"The road less travelled is fine for people who are paid to write travel books," wrote Nick Millar. "Unfortunately I need to earn a living, pay my council tax and then take a holiday to places I find interesting. White water rafting the Grand Canyon was the greatest experience of my life. Visiting Angkor, Petra and Machu Picchu are all up there in my top-ten. However, give Ayres Rock or Uluru a miss and see the black stump 200 yards off the track 60 miles west of Rabbit Flats somewhere in the Northern Territory of Australia. This amazing sight I found when I went for a pee when our truck broke down. Truly amazing, a burnt out stump. I wonder if it features in the Road Less Travelled..."

 

That's hilarious.

 

A friend in the travel biz here in Toronto tells me he'd nominate the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen as over-rated.

 

"I know Hans Christian Andersen is a national treaure but for the scores of tour buses I just don't get the fascination with a rather boring, small sculpture," he said. "I would love to have those few hours back."

 

Any suggestions? Especially for Canada? Let me know at jbyers@thestar.ca

 

Thanks.

 

 

BABOONS AND WHALES AND SHARKS, OH MY

 

Star reporter Emily Mathieu continues her search for great white sharks in South Africa. Not having a lot of luck getting any to rattle her cage, and I mean that literally, but she's having a good time and writing some great travelogues from the road.

 

Today she's got a nice photo of Simonstown and some funny anecdotes about her search for sharks.

 

Check her out: www.thestar.com/travel.

 

RECOVERY ON THE WAY, PART 47

 

You know when we'll be out of the recovery phase of the economic downturn? When we stop writing stories about whether we're out of the economic downturn. Therefore, by default, we're not out of it. Because I'm clearly writing about it.

 

Okay, that aside, the latest piece I saw came from travel agent central, where they reported that a "recent analysis by Piper Jaffray and Citibank" showed that while "the U.S. hotel industry posted a sharp dip in revenue per available room, the industry’s occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) seems to have stabilized over the summer."

JIM'S DEAL OF THE DAY

Los Olivos, California - Fess Parker Wine Country Inn
Celebrate California Wine Month in Central California's Santa Ynez Valley at this luxury inn with the "Taste Los Olivos Package," starting at $595 U.S. (Sunday through Thursday, almost a 40% discount, not including taxes). Package includes: Local wine tasting for two at eight locations in Los Olivos and at the Fess Parker Winery located on the Foxen Wine Trail; Dinner for two with California wine at Petros Los Olivos located inside the Fess Parker Inn; Lunch for two with California wine at Patrick's Side Street Café; and Deluxe accommodations for two nights at the Fess Parker's Wine Country Inn. Package costs $995 for Friday and Saturday bookings ($1,300 value plus taxes). www.fessparker.com.

I happened to stop in while on holidays in the area a couple years ago. We went to the winery, which is where they shot the scene in Sideways where Miles dumps a big vat of red wine down the front of his shirt. I didn't expect great wine but Fess Parker makes some great whites and some wonderfully rich syrahs. The Frontier Red is occasionally seen in Ontario and it's pretty good. But the reserve syrah is rich and powerful and smoky and wonderful, as is a lot of the syrah in these parts.

The sauvignon blancs in the Santa Ynez Valley are also quite snappy.

When my wife and I went to the winery, we chatted with the guy and found it was Fess Parker's birthday. Fess Parker, for those who may not recall, played Davy Crockett on TV in the old days. They said it was his 80th birthday and that he'd be singing at the hotel.

Who could resist? We went in and it was like an old-time, homey, middle American delight. He sang a song to his wife, who used to be a dancer in Hollywood. She also managed to get up and sing. Their great grandaughter, I think, sang God Bless America. There was a group of barber shop quartet singers, women, from Bakersfield, and they looked like something off the set of the Lawrence Welk Show. Cheryl Ladd also sang a tune, and it was a hoot and three-quarters.

We also had dinner at the Hitching Post II, made famous in the Sideways film. It's got fabulous wine and awesome steaks for a ridiculously low price. And Los Olivos, the town, is a frontier-style delight with high-end wineries and boutiques alongside saddle shops and down-home grocery stores.

A dynamite place for a visit.

Don't forget your coonskin cap.

UNDERWATER CAGE TO VIEW GREAT WHITE SHARKS? CHECK IT OUT...

Not in a million years.

Star reporter Emily Mathieu came to see me a while back and said she was going to South Africa. Could I use some travel stories?

Sure, I'm thinking. It's a popular spot. Great weather. Great wine. Great scenery. I have a nice, bucolic scene playing in my head when she suddenly adds a zinger.

"I'm going into a shark cage underwater and I want to take pictures of great whites."

So, I'm thinking, you're certifiably insane, Emily.

"Why?"

"I've always been interested in sharks."

Well, so am I. And I might be tempted to stay on a boat and try to see them leap from the water like they do on the Planet Earth DVD my daughter bought for me for Christmas. A really, really BIG boat. Like maybe a cruise ship. But in a cage, with little things floating in the water so 600 kilo beasts with teeth the size of a smart car will intentionally try to snatch you from behind the bars?

Uh, no.

Thankfully, we're not all this chicken. Emily arrived in South Africa the other day and went out on her first boat trip. She didn't get int the cage, but she did see some sharks. Check out her report at www.thestar.com/travel.

It's not for me, but I'm thrilled she's doing it.

AIR CANADA BOOST TO EUROPE

Twittered on this (tweeted on this?) earlier today, but Air Canada says that next summer and early fall they'll have non-stop service from Toronto to Barcelona and Toronto to Athens, as well as Montreal flights to both destinations.

Flights will be operated six days a week, subject to government approval: three times a week from Montreal and the same from Toronto.

The service is slated to run from June 3 to Oct. 18.

"Air Canada's new non-stop summer services to Athens and Barcelona from both Montreal and Toronto will offer customers even more convenient options for planning vacations and visiting friends and relatives on both sides of the Atlantic," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "Both Barcelona and Athens are important ports of call for cruise lines, and also provide convenient connections for flights to other popular destinations throughout Greece and Spain. With these additions to our 2010 summer schedule, we are continuing to strategically deploy capacity to meet seasonal demand."

Flights will be operated using 244-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft.

Athens is always great for sightseeing. There are some funky neighborhoods, and you can get to islands like Hydra in only a few minutes.

I haven't been to Barcelona for a long time but I love Gaudi and the public art. Not to mention the food.

 

CANADA HOTEL PRICES DIP...MORE SQUIRREL...MONSTER CRUISE SHIP

Hotwire.com is reporting some pretty healthy discounts at Canadian hotels, although not for Toronto.

The company says Quebec City prices for a four-star hotel dropped 21 per cent since last August, as have prices in Victoria. That's great for Torontonians as both are superb destinations and you can get there on sale with West Jet and Air Canada right now. Porter, of course, flies Toronto to Quebec City.

Hotwire says you can find a four-star Quebec hotel on their site for as little as $149, while the same in Victoria is going for $170.

In Vancouver, they say a 5-star hotel has dropped 20 per cent in the last year and that you can nab one right now for a remarkable $138.

Other price drops from August of last year to August of this year: Whistler 3.5-star 18%, Banff 4.5-star 17%, Montreal 4-star 12%, Calgary 4-star 12%, Windsor 3-star 10%, Niagara Falls 4-star 9% and Edmonton 4-star 8%.

Toronto prices fell by less than 8 per cent, the company said. Too bad for all the potential staycationers, but maybe good news for hoteliers.

On a related note, Bloomberg is reporting that some major hotel companies are letting their stars drop (rating stars) to presumably save on operating costs. Makes sense; why sprinkle rose petals in someone's Dom Perignon if folks can't make their mortgage payments?

The Bloomberg story says Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., which runs such brands as St. Rgis and W Hotels, as well as Westins and Sheratons, would let some of its properties drop a notch until the industry recovers. Hilton and Intercontinental already have cut the ratings for some locations, the story says.

Bloomberg quotes the co-chair of the company that owns the Four Seasons Toronto as saying the cuts are understandable, but there's no indication the Yorkville address will follow suit.

As much as companies might be cutting back, there still appear to be lots of folks willing to drop huge vats of cash. I was at a European property earlier this year where a guy was spending $15,000 a night on a penthouse suite for his family - FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH.

As much as you and I are affected by the recession, there are tons of people still burning through the cash. The Fairmont San Francisco issued a press release today to say their 6,000-square foot penthouse, valued at $20 million, is being renovated and will cost $15,000 U.S. a night. The suite has thre bedrooms, a living room with a grand piano, a dining room for 60 people, a kitchen, a "two-storey circular library crowned by a rotunda where a celestial map is rendered in gold leaf against a sapphire sky, a billiard room covered in Persian tile from floor to valuted ceiling and an expansive terrace with sweeping views of San Francisco."

There's also a secret passageway concealed behind bookshelves, but it doesn't say where it goes. Hopefully to the nearest ATM.

Just to be sure you're comfortable, you get a 24-hour butler, housekeepers, a chef, a masseuse and a personal trainer. Oh, and a Ferrari to drive down Lombard Street or over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sign me up!

GOING SQUIRRELLY, PART DEUX

Yesterday I wrote about the squirrel that's gone viral on the web, that being the cute little publicity seeker from Banff who leapt in front of some American tourists' camera and had his photo snapped; thus causing a huge Internet sensation. The little rascal is popping up everywhere these days, and now I see he has his own twitter account under the name Banff_Squirrel.

Here's the photo, in case you missed yesterday's posting.

And here's some more squirley photos.

JIM'S DEAL OF THE DAY

Iceland has become a hot destination of late, with reasonable prices and an air of something different, and Icelandair wants to make a last-minute European getaway worth your while. The airline is offering round trip fares starting from $229 to London, Glasgow and Manchester, $277 to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris, and $289 to Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm, as long as you book by Aug. 28, for travel Sept. 14 – 20. The travel window is extremely short, but that’s because Icelandair’s Toronto flights wrap up Sept. 20 – we’re a seasonal destination for the carrier. There’s a Saturday night stay requirement and tickets are non-refundable. For details see www.icelandair.ca and click on ’72 Hour Airfare Sale’.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN, IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?

Checked out Gene Sloan's cruise blog at USA Today today (I love writing that) and saw some pretty amazing pics of the new Royal Caribbean ship, the monster/behemoth, sorry, Oasis of the Seas.

"At 225,000 tons, Oasis is nearly 40% larger than the largest cruise vessels now afloat," Sloan reports, "allowing for such innovative features as an open-air atrium (see photo) with live trees called Central Park and a family-friendly amusement area called Boardwalk."

It's supposed to launch later this year. There was talk of a press preview in November. I might just check it out if time allows.

HONEY, I GOTTA GO COVER AN EVENT IN JAMAICA

Got a note today to say that Hedonism II, the adults-only spot down in Negril, Jamaica, is calling next month "Sensual September" and is "putting its reputation to the test by offering guests three ways to party."

Offerings include the 4th annual Penthouse Club Key Girl of the Year celebrations (Penthouse mag is still around?), September 13 – 18; the Miss North American Showgirl competition, September 21 – 28; and the Men of Dream contest, September 27 – October 4.

The third night is free on stays of three nights or more, with rates starting at $99 per person per night.

I'm busy in September. Damn.